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Religion and BMI in Australia
Michael A Kortt1, Brian Dollery
1Southern Cross Business School, Southern Cross University, Riverside Campus, Corner Brett and Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, NSW, 2485, Australia, michael.kortt@scu.edu.au.
Journal of Religion and Health
|June 7, 2012
Summary
Religious affiliation is linked to body mass index (BMI) in Australians. Specific denominations showed varied BMI associations, with some linked to higher BMI and others to lower BMI in women.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Understanding the determinants of body mass index (BMI) is crucial for public health initiatives.
- The influence of socio-cultural factors, including religion, on health outcomes like BMI requires further investigation.
- Previous research has explored various factors associated with BMI, but the specific relationship with religious affiliation in Australia remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between religious denomination and body mass index (BMI) in a representative Australian population sample.
- To investigate potential differences in BMI based on religious affiliation after accounting for confounding variables.
- To explore the relationship between the importance of religion and BMI in Australian women.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 9,408 adults aged 18 and older from the Household Income Labour Dynamics survey in Australia.
- Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analyses were employed to estimate the relationship between religious denomination and BMI.
- Statistical models controlled for socio-demographic factors, health behaviors, and psychosocial variables.
Main Results:
- Religious denomination was significantly associated with higher BMI after controlling for covariates.
- 'Baptist' men exhibited a 1.3 higher average BMI compared to those with no religious affiliation.
- Among women, 'Non-Christian' affiliations were linked to a 1 unit lower average BMI, while 'Other Christian' affiliations were linked to a 1 unit higher average BMI. A negative association was found between religious importance and BMI in women.
Conclusions:
- Religious denomination is a significant factor associated with body mass index (BMI) in the Australian population.
- Specific religious affiliations demonstrate differential relationships with BMI, highlighting the need for nuanced public health considerations.
- The importance placed on religion may influence BMI, particularly among Australian women, suggesting potential avenues for health interventions.
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